200+ Inspired Ocean Names for Babies
- Pike
Origin:
American animal nameMeaning:
"pike, a fish"Description:
The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
- Halloran
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"male descendant of a pirate or stranger from overseas"Description:
Halloran could be your solution if you love the nickname Hal, but not Harold or Henry.
- Maelyn
Origin:
Variation of Mae, EnglishMeaning:
"drop of the sea; pearl"Description:
A combination of vintage Mae with popular suffix -lynn, Maelyn feels reminiscent of glamorous Marilyn and contemporary Raelynn. In use since at least the 80s, Maelyn practically doubled in popularity 2019 after singer Maelyn Jarmon won that year's season of The Voice. Given to around 180 babies in 2023, when you combine this with the 215 girls with the alternative -lynn spelling the same year, that makes for nearly 400 Maelyns.
- Mariska
Origin:
Hungarian diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Actress Hargitay made us notice this one, it makes a robust, energetic Slavic impression.
- Kinvara
Origin:
Irish, GaelicMeaning:
"head of the sea"Description:
A rare and refined Irish place name (Cinn Mhara) turned baby name, belonging to a picturesque harbor town. As a given name, it has received occasional use especially amongst the upper classes in Britain. Lady Kinvara Balfour is an English playwright and novelist.
- Anahita
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"immaculate"Description:
Anahita is the name of the water goddess who rules, among other things, fertility and wisdom. Associated with Venue, Anahita is a stylish Iranian name for girls.
- Kainalu
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"ocean that billows"Description:
Many Hawaiian names reference nature, especially the ocean -- not surprising for a state that's made up of islands. Kainalu's meaning is one of the loveliest.
- Mar
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"sea"Description:
The Spanish and Portuguese word for "sea" is a Top 100 name in Spain. In America, it's sometimes used as a nickname for names like Martina and Marina, but it could also plausibly stand on its own.
- Triton
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
The Greek god Triton was the messenger of the sea and the son of sea god Neptune. He is usually represented as a merman, the the head and upper body of a human and the lower body of a sea creature. In The Little Mermaid he is the father of Ariel.
- Marlee
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pleasant seaside meadow"Description:
The combined inspiration of reggae master Bob and the dog-loving romp "Marley and Me" catapulted this name up the chart in recent years. But what goes up....
- Danu
Origin:
Celtic, goddess of fruitfulnessDescription:
This sprightly Irish mythology name would make an attention-grabbing choice.
- Fisk
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fisherman"Description:
Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal.
- Nami
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"ocean wave"Description:
An aquatic Japanese choice that would work well cross-culturally. American parents are starting to pick up on this short and sweet international choice, with over 100 baby girls receiving this name per year.
/br> Fans of One Piece may recognize this name as the Straw Hat Pirates' navigator. In the US, NAMI is the acronym for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- Asherah
Origin:
SumerianMeaning:
"she who treads on the sea"Description:
Asherah is probably one of the most ancient of mother goddess symbols, recorded in the pantheons of several civilisations from the tenth century BCE. As the mother to innumerable gods and goddesses, she is often depicted as having the capacity to walk on water, which makes Asherah an excellent choice for a baby born under one of the water signs of the zodiac, including names for Scorpio babies, as well as those born under Pisces and Cancer.
- Pasha
Origin:
Diminutive of Pavel or Praskovya, RussianMeaning:
"small, humble; preparation"Description:
Sweet and soft but outdoorsy too, Pasha could make an interesting alternative to Sasha. Typically used as a diminutive for Russian male names like Pavel, it has also been used for the feminine name Praskovya.
- Mirren
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish derivative of the name Marion, from Mary.
- Maryjane
Origin:
English, combination of Mary and JaneMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, beloved + god is gracious"Description:
Mary was such a common name for so long that it sprouted a whole family of chimeric name splices: Maryann, Marybeth, Mary-Lousie, ad infinitum. Spiderman's Mary Jane Watson, the closed toe shoe with a strap, and the common nickname for marijuana have helped keep this one especially familiar to the American ear.
- Hali
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the sea"Description:
Another culture's take on the Hailey/Halle phenomenon.
- Gwenore
Origin:
Variation of GuinevereMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
- Wave
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"wave"Description:
Wave made, well, waves when it was revealed to be the name of Cardi B and Offset's son. Evocative of crashing waves at the beach, large surfing barrels, and tumultuous and stormy seas, Wave is a name with a lot of personalities.